May 21, 2007

Hear 'em on MySpace, or at a club near you

By Paul Freeman / Entertainment Writer

WINTER FLOWERS
The luminous Los Angeles-based band Winter Flowers, with Bay Area roots, plays the Independent on May 19. Astrid Quay grew up in Daly City and Alameda. Christof Certik was born in Germany, but grew up in El Cerrito/Berkeley. Sasha Smith grew up in Sebastopol and Nick Sapiro spent time in Walnut Creek. Joined by Gavin Toler, the expatriates conjure up the free-spirited musical magic of San Francisco's Summer of Love era. Their Web page offers three pop-folk gems: "Pebble or Mountain," "End of the War" and "Why Don't You Shine." They resonate with a gentle, '60s-ish aura of wonder and idealism. Let Winter Flowers charm you.
www.myspace.com/winterflowers

FOTIA
Greek music brims with invigorating emotion, and San Francisco band Fotia brings boundless energy to its traditional and contemporary forms. The band's MySpace page contains three distinctive song clips. "Sacramento Kai Lodi," with lively guitar, proves compelling, and "Ase Me" will give you the urge to dance. After playing the Greek Festival on May 18 and 19, Fotia will create a celebratory atmosphere during a free show at Redwood City's Big Fox Nightclub, at the Fox Theatre on May 26. Greek food will be served prior to the entertainment.
www.myspace.com/fotiamusic

TIGER CLUB BAND
Distinctive Bay Area combo Tiger Club Band imbues their nostalgic influences with a fresh sense of fun. Sure, the surf, spy and Latin lounge sounds could be shrugged off as simply a campy good time. But the fact is, their music is extremely cool and stands on its own. "North Beach Nocturne," with its Mancini-esque manner, benefits from a jazzy swagger. The group plays the Little Fox Theatre on May 20th.
www.myspace.com/tigerclubband

IWORI
Richmond's Iwori plays San Francisco's Hotel Utah on May 23. The band exudes classic rock power on such tunes as "Sirens" and "River Song." They deliver a strong socio-political message on "As Blossoms Fall." Guitarist/vocalist Micah Charlot is a force to be reckoned with.
www.myspace.com/iwori

ANTIPOP
From Buenos Aires comes Antipop and its undeniably catchy rock-pop. The band's sound has electronica flair. The engaging lead vocals by Macarena Criscuolo give the Argentine band's music a sensual surge. "Travel" is particularly inviting. "Super Sonic Tonic" is just what the doctor ordered. It'll give you a lift.
www.myspace.com/antipopmusicuk

THE PEACES
New York-based group The Peaces embrace retro pop-rock influences and create winning songs. Their smoothly woven harmonies call to mind the intricate arrangements of the Association. Wistfully winsome tunes such as "Natalie Would" and "Sunny Day Into My Heart" will leave you humming.
www.myspace.com/peacesband

HEIDI SCHWARTZ
The heartfelt acoustic rock-pop of Nashville-based singer-songwriter Heidi Schwartz will entrance you. Poignant, very personal songs from her "Firefighter" album grace her Web page. They'll make you want to hear more. "For Dad at the Bottom," "Addiction" and "Shelter" are especially moving and involving. Schwartz's vocals prove to be consistently compelling. From here, you might want to click onto her Web site, www.heidischwartz.com, where you can reflect upon images this accomplished artist has sketched or painted for each song.
www.myspace.com/heidischwartz

INSECTS AND ANGELS
Insects and Angels, a duo made up of Bobby Azarian and Melissa Ball, design music that is gently hypnotic. Their imaginative keyboards establish a beauteous aural landscape across which Ball's breathy vocals sensuously wind their way. The intricate compositions and arrangements are complex, yet immediately accessible. A profound sense of yearning flows through "To Be Free." "Glowy Glowy" illuminates the duo's subtly soulful side.
www.myspace.com/insectsandangels music

IMITATION ELECTRIC PIANO
With wit and sophistication, the U.K. combo Imitation Electric Piano, co-founded by Stereolab's Simon Johns, creates a splendiferous array of songs. "Come Into Force" is one of the delights. The ingenuous "I Mean Wow" is utterly disarming. Their MySpace page currently features a couple of tracks not included on their "Blow It Up, Burn It Down, Kick It Til It Bleeds" CD. The jaunty "Truly Vile, Part 2" proves to be truly appealing.
www.myspace.com/imitationelectric piano

LEAH KAUFFMAN
Philadelphia folk-pop artist Leah Kauffman presents three extraordinary songs. The college student hits tremendous heights with "Stratosphere." The dramatic "Colliding Cars" makes a lasting impact. "Right Now" offers an achingly lovely blend of vulnerability and strength. Kauffman's voice displays Sarah McLachlan-like beauty and elasticity, though it soars with its own qualities of dynamics and emotional urgency. She has been uncovered as "Bunny," the creator of the racy Internet satirical sensation "My Box in a Box." But her MySpace tunes reveal a talent that's far more than a novelty.
www.myspace.com/leahkauffman

SUZY Q & HER BE-BOP BOYS
For an exciting reinvention of '50s rockabilly, click on Orange County band Suzy Q & Her Be-Bop Boys' page. Fronted by electrifying bass player/vocalist Suzy Dughi, the band generates an affectionately authentic representation of the genre. Snap your fingers to "Cool Baby." "Demon Lover" sinuously slithers with Buddy Dughi's eerily twangy guitar licks. "Honky Tonk Hot Rod" and "Baby Doll" sound like long-lost Sun Records releases.
www.myspace.com/suzyqbebopboys

HOWL GRIFF
Crisp, chiming guitars, solid rhythm section, earnest lead vocals and sweet harmonies make Howl Griff and his band impossible to resist. These folk-rock performers from Wales create a sound of their own, while drawing on such influences as Super Furry Animals and the Byrds. Hints of psychedelia, as well as George Harrison mysticism drift through the songs. Whether Griff sings in English or Welsh, he strikes a universal chord.
www.myspace.com/howlgriff

I'm always looking for intriguing sounds. So please clue me in at romper333@comcast.net, when you discover more on your own.